Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 787 - 782: Chain Series - Part Two

Chapter 787: Chapter 782: Chain Series - Part Two

High-speed flight, especially within a certain type of gas.

A subtle balance must be formed between resistance and propulsion to achieve the best rapid speed effect.

But for Lin Xin, his immense strength allows him to tear through the air directly with his body. There’s no need for him to use special decrees or channel spiritual and elemental energy to resist the troubles brought by high speed like other cultivators.

When he stopped again, a white hexagonal exquisite island had already appeared in the ocean below.

In the middle of the island, a giant skeleton statue was howling at the sky.

At the edge of the island, dark torpedo-shaped ships were taking off and landing.

Boom!

Lin Xin’s figure suddenly appeared above the island, coming to an instant stop, causing a clear ripple to spread out in the air.

"Soul Sect headquarters...."

He looked down at the island below, clearly feeling a terrifying and vast formation energy fluctuating and swirling above the island. If there was any sign of intrusion, this grand formation would react violently in an instant, annihilating all enemies.

"A seventh-level formation...." Lin Xin, being a grandmaster of formation talismans, immediately recognized the level of the formation below.

"A seventh-level formation cannot exist independently; at least one seventh-level Heavenly Venerable must be stationed at its core for it to operate long-term. This means there’s at least one Heavenly Venerable stationed below as the core."

With a thought, Lin Xin shook his hand once more to release the formation spirit.

"Are you sure it’s down there?"

He asked in a deep voice.

The formation spirit quickly condensed into a semi-transparent humanoid and nodded solemnly.

"I dare to swear on my life!"

Lin Xin squinted his eyes and suddenly smiled.

"Shou Ru Venerable, it seems you really plan to lead me into a trap step by step...."

He hovered in mid-air, looking down, without making any immediate moves.

However, the Soul Sect headquarters below had already noticed him. Numerous streaks of escape light shot up into the sky, flying straight towards Lin Xin.

"An intruder!"

"Capture him first, if it fails, kill him immediately!"

Several spiritual senses intertwined, and the escape lights split into two groups rushing towards Lin Xin.

"How dare you intrude on my Soul Sect’s Bewildering Spirit Realm, sir...."

Two black-robed Taoists appeared in the escape lights. While speaking, they suddenly saw Lin Xin’s face and stopped speaking abruptly.

Their expressions changed dramatically as they clearly recognized Lin Xin. Forcing a smile, one of them spoke softly.

"So it’s Daoist Lieshan of Green Lake Mountain. May I ask why you have come to our Soul Sect’s Bewildering Spirit Realm? If there’s anything you need help with, we as members of the Heavenly Alliance are at your service."

"And you are?"

Lin Xin was slightly surprised. He had just killed so many from the Soul Sect, yet they seemed completely unaware.

"I am Jun Sheng, and this is my senior brother, Xiong Ping." The old Taoist introduced himself and then hesitated for a moment before saying, "Our sect’s Nine Nether Heavenly Venerable is also here investigating the situation."

"Nine Nether Heavenly Venerable?"

Lin Xin was slightly taken aback, not expecting to encounter someone from his sect here.

"Allow me to report first." The old Taoist said respectfully. Although he was of the rank of Human Immortal, and Lin Xin’s cultivation was strong, being from different sects, he had no need to be so deferential.

This courtesy was due to Lin Xin’s high status.

"There’s no need. I came here seeking Shou Ru Venerable, a fugitive from Shadow City. According to my information, he escaped and hid in your sect headquarters, so I came to investigate."

Lin Xin didn’t bother with unnecessary words and simply stated his purpose.

"Impossible!" Old Taoist Xiong Ping’s face changed drastically. "Our sect’s mountain gate is protected by thousands of Soul-Setting Great Formations. Even a Heavenly Venerable cannot enter unnoticed. If a Shadow City Venerable approached, they would be immediately detected. How could they secretly enter the headquarters and hide themselves?"

"Do you think I would deceive you?" Lin Xin sneered. "Whether it’s true or not, let me enter and investigate, and we’ll know soon enough."

"Absolutely not!" Opening the sect for investigation is a great humiliation for any sect, let alone a powerful sect like the Soul Sect, with the presence of a Taoist Ancestor.

At this moment, several more streaks of escape light ascended and hovered not far away, revealing a group of young black-robed cultivators, male and female. The leader had ghastly white eyes, lacking pupils, and with dry white hair lacking any luster, exuding a fierce and eerie aura.

When this person saw Lin Xin, his eyes contracted slightly, and he took a deep breath, forcing a smile.

"Indeed, Daoist Lieshan from Green Lake Mountain. I am Jin Xiazi, a special elder of Soul Sect.

What Daoist mentioned earlier is absolutely impossible. We can assist with internal investigations, but opening the sect headquarters... we hope Daoist can understand."

Jin Xiazi?

Lin Xin’s mind quickly recalled this person’s information.

Among the Soul Sect Cultivators, he was the most ferocious and violent of the Heavenly Venerables. Even within the Soul Sect, few dared to confront him directly, as he was extremely volatile.

However... volatile, you say?

Lin Xin squinted at him.

"Is there a Deputy Sect Master named Wen?"

"Deputy Sect Master Wen?" Jin Xiazi’s face changed dramatically. "Are you talking about the traitor Wen Changlong who colluded with Shadow City and surrendered to the Heavenly Demon Army Master?"

"Traitor?"

Lin Xin immediately understood that the Soul Sect seemed to have many unresolved internal issues.

Shou Ru Venerable had led him here, and Deputy Sect Master Wen had revealed his identity to mislead him into attacking the Soul Sect headquarters, sparking a war between the two sides.

Clearly, Deputy Sect Master Wen was a traitor who had fallen out with the headquarters.

In this way, the interconnected traps became clear....

"Interesting...." Lin Xin felt a surge of anger.

He had almost fallen into their trap. If it wasn’t for his suspicion and waiting to inquire before attacking the headquarters, this misunderstanding would have been irreparable!

Seeing Lin Xin’s expression, Jin Xiazi revealed a look of realization.

"It’s another of Wen Changlong’s schemes!"

Suppressing his anger, he spoke softly to Lin Xin.

"Our sect’s Nine Nether Heavenly Venerable is also here investigating the incident and assisting with organizing the auction. ’Daoist Lieshan’ can wait a moment and use the jade talisman to contact Nine Nether to verify the truth."

Lin Xin had already intended to do so and immediately activated the jade talisman, sending out a message. As a respected disciple, he had all the contact information of the sect’s Venerables.

Soon, a message was received.

"Nephew, you may come to the Peach Blossom Pavilion where I am overseeing the preparations."

"Thank you, Senior Nine Nether," Lin Xin respectfully replied.

Turning back to Jin Xiazi and the others, he relaxed a bit.

"No wonder I felt something was off when I arrived here," Lin Xin said, easing his tone.

"Your sect has always been clear in its stance, irreconcilable with the Void Demon Spirits. How could a Deputy Sect Master suddenly collude with these spirits and attempt to ambush the Realm Master here? Now it seems all this was a misunderstanding."

"Alas..." Jin Xiazi showed difficulty. "It’s a long story. Our sect has faced many major events recently. Since the Taoist Ancestor’s entrapment, the Deputy Sect Masters have held different views. Wen Changlong even suggested defecting to the Void Demon Spirits!"

He was indignant.

"Enough, Daoist, please come down. Nine Nether will explain it in person."

"Please."

The surrounding Soul Sect cultivators gave way.

"Please."

Lin Xin nodded, descending straight downward amidst the crowd.

Soon, they passed through the grand formation, the crowd dispersing as Jin Xiazi and two other female cultivators led Lin Xin to a Purple Jade Courtyard, gently landing.

Two guards in white heavy armor, their helmets adorned with dragon patterns, stood watch outside the courtyard.

In the air, black leaves fluttered down, though their source remained unknown.

Lin Xin picked up a black leaf, watching it gradually fade into nothingness in his hand.

He looked around but couldn’t find the source.

"This is transformed from resentment and is called the Falling Soul Leaf. It’s the best method for dissolving resentful spirits’ grievances," Jin Xiazi explained, sighing. "Nine Nether is here; you may proceed."

He gave Lin Xin a meaningful look.

"Daoist Jin Xiazi, do you have something to say?" Lin Xin quirked an eyebrow.

Jin Xiazi hesitated before shaking his head.

"Daoist, please go in and understand the situation from Nine Nether."

Lin Xin nodded, stepping into the courtyard.

Suddenly, a faint, weak voice came from behind, unmistakably Jin Xiazi’s.

"Be careful."

There were only two words, but Lin Xin’s heart tightened, sensing Jin Xiazi and the others swiftly departing.

He looked around.

The courtyard was empty and desolate, with no Soul Sect guards in sight.

The white-armored dragon pattern guards clearly bore the marks of Green Lake Mountain’s refinement.

Surrounding the courtyard were silent, black buildings, eerily vacant.

Walking a few steps, the crisp sound of his steps echoed, then faded into silence.

He looked at the Purple Jade Courtyard ahead, his spiritual senses detecting no danger.

He paused briefly, then stepped forward, instantly reaching the courtyard entrance.

"Ah, it’s Daoist Lieshan, please come in."

A familiar voice called from within the courtyard, unmistakably Nine Nether Heavenly Venerable’s.

"Senior Nine Nether, when did you come to the Soul Sect? Why have I not heard of this?" Lin Xin stood at the threshold, not moving forward.

Recalling Jin Xiazi’s whispered warning,

"Be careful"?

What should he be careful of?

Nine Nether, or some other hidden danger here?

Since arriving at the Soul Sect Star Domain, Lin Xin sensed something was amiss. It seemed everything operated in defiance of logic.

"This is a secret among Heavenly Venerables. You’re not yet at that level, so the sect wouldn’t inform you." Nine Nether chuckled. "Come in, I’ve got some fine tea from Old Nine Curves. You’re in for a treat."

"Nine Curves? The Immortal Elder Nine Curves?" Lin Xin narrowed his eyes and asked softly, lifting his foot to step forward.

"Yes, you know him?"

Lin Xin’s right foot hovered at the threshold.